Bearskins

The bear crashed to the ground with a gurgle and she turned to her son, the chill slowly thawing from her veins. He was visibly sheepish, and with a glance at Loshir, who added, “He did try to run. I tried to divert it, Moonchild, but it sent me flying, and your son saw me hurt and the rage froze him over. Pointless to get between you two and an enemy at that point…”

The mountain lion’s tone was laden with chagrined resignation and a faint touch of rueful amusement. It was clear Ardyn had inherited his Queen mother’s ferocity, perhaps more than any of his siblings. Coran probably ranked third in readiness to take on predators much larger than themselves. The brothers had already dispatched one cat together.

Aurielle nodded and studied her son. He was unhurt, not a drop of golden ichor to be found, and she sighed, nuzzling the boy’s cheek. “You fought well. You’d best get started skinning that bear out before rigor stiffens it. Lyr, could you go home and tell Taliesyn we could use his help dragging this home once we’re done parting it out?” This, she called to Ardyn’s raven friend where he’d dropped to perch on the nearest branch.

At her son’s nod she turned away and padded to Drachen’s side, checking him over as she said, “You have my thanks for helping Ardyn dispatch that bear. Are you injured anywhere?”

Her eyes lifted to the hawk, a nod given to the raptor before her gaze returned to Drachen.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think